Students enrolled on the Bachelor in Information and Communication course are readying themselves to tackle the Master in Information and Communication course, with the aim, on successfully completing their Master, of qualifying as information and communication specialists, having developed a capacity for critical detachment and the skills required to contribute to contemporary communication issues and the considered development of professional fields.
The Bachelor in Information and Communication programme offers students the possibility to acquire two main categories of skills:
- Human science skills, providing a better understanding of the functioning of human societies. This is about being able to analyse community life from a philosophical, psychological, anthropological, political, economic, legal, etc. perspective. Whichever career in information or communication they aspire to, it is essential to have acquired a knowledge base as well as theoretical and analytical frameworks enabling them to analyse professional practices in an independent and critical manner.
- Skills enabling them to analyse and master communication processes and contexts, together with methods for analysing communication processes.
Not going through this deconstruction phase before learning a trade in information or communication would restrict students in the application of professional practices that they would be unable to develop. From the Bachelor’s course onwards, the university training aims to teach students how to redefine the career they will pursue in the future.
To this end, the three-year Bachelor programme progresses from training essentially focused on introduction courses to the human sciences towards training that is based on understanding communication processes and the various occupations, their contexts and constraints. This itinerary reflects the interdisciplinary nature of communication. Borrowing from other human science disciplines, contributing to an understanding of social interactions (philosophy, psychology, sociology, economics, law, political sciences, etc.), also leads to the mastery of modes of thought and analysis specific to communication.
In addition, on successful completion of a Bachelor’s course in the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Communication (ESPO), graduates will have developed:
- a multidisciplinary approach enabling them to question, in a substantiated and precise manner, a phenomenon or issue related to the field of human sciences;
- an academic approach based on scientific research and a robust and critical methodology;
- their communication skills in French and two other languages;
- a way of thinking that is respectful of ethical and civic values.
During the three-year Bachelor course, students will have demonstrated growing independence. They will have developed their training projects and, on completion of the Bachelor programme, will continue their training in a specific Master course, with a view to building their personal and professional projects.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
On completion of this programme, graduates, like all Bachelors of the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Communication, will be able to:
AAC1. Demonstrate a command of and apply the fundamental know-how (knowledge, models, theories, concepts) of the discipline(s) at the heart of their course and its areas of application in order to understand human beings in society and all of the relationships, organisations and institutions in which they are involved.
AAC1.1. Demonstrate the acquisition and a critical understanding of an in-depth knowledge base (knowledge, models, theories, concepts) in the discipline (s) for their course (referred to as the “major” at the Louvain-la-Neuve campus) and its areas of application.
AAC1.2. Understand, explain and analyse, in a critical manner and using the discipline’s knowledge base, various issues related to their studies.
AAC2. Master and implement the fundamentals of an academic (based on scientific research and rigorous methodology) and epistemological approach to examine in greater detail issues/phenomena related to the discipline(s) involved in their studies.
- Analyse all the knowledge acquired in epistemological terms (AAC2.1. and AAC2.2.).
- Demonstrate command of the fundamentals of a scientific and methodological approach based on rigorous research (AAC2.3. to AAC2.6.).
AAC2.1. Adopt an attitude of critical detachment with regard to knowledge, knowledge-building processes and practices related to the field of their course of study.
AAC2.2. Put up for discussion various paradigms (or conceptual approaches) to approach, interpret and analyse (debate) a phenomenon/issue related to the discipline of their course of studies.
AAC2.3. Identify and select the most appropriate publications and methods (questioning their validity and pertinence) to analyse an issue relating to the discipline(s) of their course of studies.
AAC2.4. Develop a critical and reflective analysis of the information and publications (in French and English) the students will encounter during their time at the university and create a pertinent summary in accordance with the basic rules of scientific communication with regard to the issue studied.
AAC2.5. Display a command of and robustly apply the main qualitative and quantitative methods relating to the discipline(s) of their course of studies.
AAC2.6. Conduct an independent personal study: develop an informed analysis, a logically presented argument and a well-founded personal view.
AAC3. Develop a personal discussion paper drawing on input (theories, concepts, approaches, etc.) from different disciplines to question and discuss in a robust and open manner a phenomenon/issue relating to the field of human sciences.
AAC3.1. Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the concepts and theories of the main disciplines related to human and social sciences (including: economics, philosophy, law, history, social anthropology, political science and management).
AAC3.2. Approach, question and discuss a phenomenon/issue related to the field of human sciences from multidisciplinary analytical perspectives, adopting a critical and discerning attitude with regard to the limitations of each discipline and their interrelations.
AAC3.3. Demonstrate a command and critical understanding of comprehensive knowledge in discipline(s) other than those related to their course of studies (discipline(s) related to the choice of minor subjects for programmes at Louvain-la-Neuve).
AAC4. Communicate and collaborate, verbally and in writing in French and two other languages, adapting their approach to suit the audience and the context so as to integrate into an international context.
AAC4.1. Communicate verbally and in writing on complex subjects (information, thoughts and conclusions, as well as the underlying knowledge and principles) in a clear, structured and well-argued manner according to the communication standards specific to the context, adapting the presentation to suit the target audience and intended purpose.
AAC4.2. For 2 languages other than French* (English and Dutch or German or Spanish): communicate verbally and in writing in a clear, coherent, fluent and well-argued manner on general topics or on issues related to the field of studies; identify the differences and similarities between the target culture (related to the language in question) and the original culture, and use appropriate strategies to communicate with representatives of the target culture.
* For English (all language competencies), Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
For Dutch, Spanish or German: some language skills at Level B1 and some at Level B2 of the European Common Framework of Reference.
AAC4.3. Work as part of a team: interact, collaborate and organise themselves efficiently within a team and manage group relationships.
AAC4.4. Communicate effectively and respectfully while tailoring the communication method to the audience (peers, teachers, administrative staff, socio-professional representatives), demonstrating empathy, assertiveness and the listening skills.
AAC5. Act independently as critical and responsible stakeholders observing ethical and civic values, having created their training projects with a view to continuing their personal and professional development.
AAC5.1. Demonstrate independence throughout their training: manage their work independently (define priorities, anticipate and plan their activities in good time), demonstrate critical detachment with regard to their own knowledge, learning methods and achievements and incorporate new knowledge and skills independently according to the situations that arise.
AAC5.2. Apply the acquired knowledge in a critical manner so as to adopt a stance and act responsibly while observing ethical and civic values.
AAC5.3. Develop a training project and move towards an “informed/enlightened” professional project: plan for a Master’s course consistent with the discipline of their course of studies (or if necessary with a logical change of major), having identified the fields in which they intend to pursue their professional careers.
More specifically, as Bachelors of information and communication, the students will be able to:
AAS1. Demonstrate a command of and apply in a critical manner a knowledge base (theories, concepts, methods, tools and authors) in communication in the various basic disciplines (linguistics, semiotics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc.) they require in order to analyse communication situations/issues.
AAS1.1. Display a critical command of the principles (methodological concepts and paradigms) of the theories in the field of information and communication sciences and apply them to analyse social and interpersonal communication.
AAS1.2. Display a command of and apply, in a critical manner, a grounding in the various basic disciplines (linguistics, semiotics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc.) that provide a better understanding of communication situations.
AAS1.3. Display a command of and apply, in a critical manner, the basic principles and key legal rules guiding activities in the communication and media sector from an interdisciplinary perspective.
AAS1.4. Display a command of and apply, in a critical manner, the basic concepts and theories in the fields of management, economics and political science.
AAS2. Display a command of the methodologies, their frameworks and tools that enable the introduction of instruments to analyse communication processes, apply them in a pertinent manner to conduct a critical analysis and test them against situations/issues related to information and communication.
AAS2.1. Analyse the messages, content and comments appearing in all media categories:
- applying the principles (methodological concepts and paradigms) of the field of information and communication sciences;
- applying the methodology for analysis of the content and textual criticism;
- incorporating communication theories and tools into the various basic disciplines;
- analysing the accuracy of the message, its expressive and symbolic qualities and/or its effectiveness.
AAS2.2. Identify and describe the relationships between the stakeholders and the working procedures, techniques and tools involved in the production of written, audiovisual and multimedia work using any type of medium. These relationships can take a number of different forms: socio-economic, symbolic, political, etc.
AAS2.3. Apply, in a pertinent manner, the techniques and tools involved in the production of written, audiovisual and multimedia work using any type of medium.
AAS2.4. Identify the basic psychological principles used in the communication process and apply them pertinently in practical situations.
AAS2.5. Analyse the possibilities that different forms of language (the spoken and written word, typographical symbols, still and moving images, drawings and sound) and medium (graphics, printing, audio-visual and multimedia) offer the originator of the messages.
AAS2.6. Pass on to other sectors, both specialised and non-specialised, the ability to read accounts publicised via any medium from a critical perspective.
AAS3. Understand the major fields related to information and communication (journalism, communication by organisations, businesses and institutions, the media, art, culture, education) and analyse communication issues specific to these major fields.
AAS3.1. Define and identify the structures, functions and processes in which the mass media and cultural industries play a role.
AAS3.2. In the field of organisational communication: identify and analyse communication phenomena and processes as they relate to the concepts of organisation and organised action and with regard to the different forms and strategies of organisational communication.
AAS3.3. In the field of journalism and the press: demonstrate knowledge of their history; understand their social, economic, political and symbolic dimensions; identify and analyse different types of journalistic accounts and publications (Belgian and international).
AAS3.4. In the field of cultural and socio-educational communication: analyse the impact of a media system on social behaviour and representations and understand the professional roles of diagnosis, formalisation, conception and evaluation.
AAS3.5. In the field of institutional and corporate communication: identify and describe the basic principles of institutional and corporate communication and of public relations.
AAS4. Understand the process of building a scientific knowledge base in the information and communication sciences and apply it through the practice of research strategies.
AAS4.1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the epistemological bases of social sciences.
AAS4.2. Apply social and human science analytical and research techniques to the social and cultural reality and its expressions through public opinion.
AAS4.3. Display command of a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis in the field of the information and communication sciences and apply them robustly (using an applied approach).
AAS4.4. Display command of a variety of research methods and techniques centred on different approaches to the productions, usages, practices, effects and processes related to communication.
AAS4.5. Understand, analyse and assimilate, in a critical manner, documents (scientific works and reviews) in the field of the information and communication sciences.
AAS4.6. Collectively devise a research project related to social and human phenomena.
AAS5. Develop specific professional, technical and communication skills.
AAS5.1. Demonstrate a basic command of communication-related writing: be familiar with and adopt a position on the various forms of writing and use different processes after incorporating their requirements in a critical manner.
AAS5.3. Demonstrate creativity in the personal application of expressive practices.
AAS5.2. Communicate in two foreign languages, demonstrating a command of the different linguistic registers relating to the information and communication sciences.
AAS5.4. Use digital and multimedia technologies to systematise information sources and documents, create multimedia communication messages and analyse the social effects of using these technologies.
AAS6. Question, analyse and discuss in a robust, critical and open manner, the place and contributions of organisational communication, the media and communication technologies with regard to the challenges and dilemmas of modern society in order to develop a personal viewpoint and become active, responsible and engaged citizens.
AAS6.1. Analyse the social and historical role of the media industry and communication technologies and their products, as well as their ability to create a mediatised reality.
AAS6.2. Use the relevant tools and in a robust, critical and open manner, analyse current issues related to communication and the media.
AAS6.3. Evaluate the cultural and social impact of media reports.
AAS6.4 Research, identify and select information, using a critical approach, in order to develop content on the challenges and dilemmas of modern society.
AAS6.5. Evaluate the treatment of the media with regard to the challenges and dilemmas of modern society, in particular analysing how robustly data is processed and the commitment to building a fair society.
AAS6.6. S’exercer à élaborer ses propres jugements critiques à propos de la place et des contributions de la communication organisationnelle, des médias et des technologies de la communication en regard de défis et dilemmes de la société contemporaine et élaborer une prise de position personnelle argumentée.
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